Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGTAWI’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGTAWI’, particularly characterized by having reddish-purple striped flowers with extra-large reddish-purple lips, overlapping petals, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGTAWI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALGTAWI’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous attractive reddish-purple striped flowers with extra-large reddish-purple lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGTAWI’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in April 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘13836-03’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3402’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in February 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 26, 2018, by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGTAWI’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGTAWI’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALGTAWI’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Reddish-purple striped flowers;     -   2) Extra-large reddish-purple lips; and     -   3) Overlapping petals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in October 2019. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALGTAWI’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGTAWI’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGTAWI’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALGTAWI’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in October 2019 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in-vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALGTAWI’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘13836-03’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3402’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)             colored roots with branching lateral roots having dark red             (RHS 187B) and yellowish-green (RHS N144A) colored root             tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in-vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendant             with raceme inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 47.0 cm to 52.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 37.0 cm to 39.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 19.0 cm             to 22.0 cm. Width: 7.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: In the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse unequal. Leaf             blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 20 degrees and 40 degrees. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS             146B with dark red edge (RHS 187A). Texture: Upper surface:             Slightly rough. Lower surface: Smooth. Thickness: 2.8 mm to             3.3 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel.             Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 187A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—8 to 10.         -   Length.—47.0 cm to 52.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—6.5 mm to 6.8 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly peridant.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200B) and yellow-green (RHS 146C).         -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 190.0 mm to             220.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 76.0 mm to 81.0 mm. Diameter: 97.0 mm to             102.0 mm. Depth of lip: About 2.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 16 to 18 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Convex.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm.             Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Dark             purple-red (between RHS 187C and 187D).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Overlapping. Shape: Semi-circular.             Apex: Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from             base to tip): 44.0 mm to 46.0 mm. Width: 62.0 mm to 64.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:             Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color: Light purple (RHS             76A) at the base and small white margin (RHS NN155C). Lower             surface: Basic color: Very light purple (RHS 76B). Over             color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C) toward apex; reddish-purple             stripes (RHS N78B) and white margin (RHS NN155C). Number of             spots and stripes on the petals: Many. Color of spots and             stripes on the petals (upper surface): RHS N78A. Density of             netting of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): None.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse to rounded             symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 49.0             mm to 51.0 mm. Width: 35.0 mm to 37.0 mm. Position of the             broadest part of the dorsal sepals: In the middle. Color             (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:             Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color: Very light purple (RHS             76B). Lower surface: Basic color: Very light purple (RHS             76B). Over color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C) netted edge.             Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): Medium. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): RHS N78A. Density of netting of the             dorsal sepals (upper surface): Low. Color of the netting             (upper surface): RHS N78A.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 46.0 mm to             48.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: At the base. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purplish-pink (RHS             N78C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145C) at the             base. Lower surface: Basic color: Light purple (between RHS             76A and 76B). Over color: Slightly light yellow-green base             (RHS 145C) and netted edge (RHS N78C). Number of spots and             stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium. Color             of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface):             Stripes (RHS N78B) and dots (RHS 183B). Density of netting             of the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium. Color of the             netting (upper surface): RHS N78B.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 8.0             mm to 10.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B)             with very light purple margin (RHS 76C). Pubescence on the             lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Entire. Length: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Width: 24.0 mm             to 26.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Slightly very light purple             (RHS 76C) on one side and reddish-purple (between RHS N78B             and NN78B) toward the other side. Lower surface: Light             purple (RHS 76A) at the base; very light purple (RHS 76B)             toward one side and reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward the             other side. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:             Few. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Stripes             (RHS N78A) and dots (RHS 185B). Density of netting of the             lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trapezoid. Margin: Entire. Length: 18.0             mm to 20.0 mm. Width: 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Reddish-purple (between RHS N78A and NN78A). Lower             surface: Very light purple (RHS 76C) in the middle and             reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward margins. Number of spots             and stripes on the apical lobe: Few stripes. Color of spots             and stripes on the apical lobe: RHS N79C. Density of netting             of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small to medium. Height: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.             Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B and N78D) on the front side             and light purple (RHS 76A) on other sides; purplish-red             stripes (RHS 184C). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to             5.0 mm. Color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base             with reddish-purple region (RHS N78B) toward the tip.         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Diameter: 2.4 mm to 2.7             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 35.0 mm to 37.0 mm. Diameter: 2.7 mm to             3.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Reddish-brown (RHS 200B) at             the base and yellow-green (RHS 146C) and very light purple             (RHS 75A) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALGTAWI’ differs from female parent plant ‘13836-03’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGTAWI’ has extra-large sized lips, overlapping petals, and calluses with a main color of reddish-purple, whereas ‘13836-03’ has normal sized lips, open/free petals, and calluses with a main color of yellow.

‘PHALGTAWI’ differs from male parent plant ‘01-3402’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGTAWI’ has overlapping petals, calluses with a main color of reddish-purple, and flowers with a main color of reddish-purple, whereas ‘01-3402’ has open/free petals, calluses with a main color of white, and flowers with a main color of white:

‘PHALGTAWI’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALDESBIM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,671) and ‘PHALOFMO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,736). ‘PHALGTAWI’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDESBIM’ in that ‘PHALGTAWI’ has extra-large sized lips, whereas ‘PHALDESBIM’ has normal sized lips. Additionally, ‘PHALGTAWI’ has larger flowers and shorter whiskers than ‘PHALDESBIM’.

‘PHALGTAWI’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALOFMO’ in that ‘PHALGTAWI’ has extra-large sized lips, whereas ‘PHALOFMO’ has normal sized lips. Additionally, ‘PHALGTAWI’ has shorter whiskers than ‘PHALOFMO’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGTAWI’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 